Lockdown not sustainable in Nigeria, says Umar

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A former Military Administrator of Kaduna, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), has said though lockdown is an effective measure of stopping the spread of coronavirus, it is not sustainable in most third world societies, like Nigeria.

He however asked the federal government to review the fight against the virus in such a way that people would be able to secure their means of livelihood.

The former military Governor, in a statement, on Sunday, noted although total lockdown is an effective measure that can ensure social distancing, it is not practicable in Nigeria.

According to him: “Total lockdown is an effective measure that can ensure social distancing but it is also not sustainable in most Third world societies like Nigeria, where the workforce is made up of daily wage earners. We are referring to societies in which over 70 percent of the workforce is made up of daily wage earners.”

He however advised the government should deploy measures, which will protect lives and guarantee livelihoods as well as stop the spread of the virus while making it possible for the people to secure their means of livelihood.

“The first task is to control and reduce the spread of the virus. One of the most effèctive ways is to enforce social and physical distancing.

“Things like total lockdown, stop any form of congregation and crowding. Sanitary measures like hand-washing, use of face masks, gloves etc.

“Since most third World governments lack resources to adequately provide means of livelihood to a large segment of society, i.e the most vulnerable members,  they must improvise strategies which will target such vulnerable citizens.

“One of the best ways is to embark on massive upgrade of medical facilities to provide easy testing, quarantine and treatment free of charge.

“If the federal government finds the need to give cash handout to the poor, it should do so through a more efficient channel i.e states and local governments”.

He maintained:  “Another avenue is the huge reduction in food prices”, noting that ” the  coronavirus pandemic has had huge inflationary impact on food prices.

“With restriction of movement, all farming activities will be adversely affected.

“This is time for the federal government to allow for massive import of foods particularly rice.

“It is a fact that imported rice is much cheaper than locally produced rice.

“With all the talk about a rice revolution, less than 30 per cent of the rice consumed in Nigeria is locally produced. A 50kg of rice sold at about N7,000 in 2015, the price is, currently N26,000″.

He called in all tiers of government to suspend all other infrastructural projects and deploy all resources to the fight against coronavirus.”